Biography | Francis BIOGRAPHY OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS The first Pope of the Americas Jorge Mario Bergoglio hails from Argentina. The 76-year-old Jesuit Archbishop of Buenos Aires is a prominent figure throughout the continent, yet remains a simple pastor who is deeply loved by his diocese, throughout which he has travelled extensively on the underground and by bus during the 15 years of his episcopal ministry. “My people are poor and I am one of them”, he has said more than once, explaining his decision to live in an apartment and cook his own supper. He has always advised his priests to show mercy and apostolic courage and to keep their doors open to everyone. The worst thing that could happen to the Church, he has said on various occasions, “is what de Lubac called spiritual worldliness”, which means, “being self-centred”. And when he speaks of social justice, he calls people first of all to pick up the Catechism, to rediscover the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes. His project is simple: if you follow Christ, you understand that “trampling upon a person’s dignity is a serious sin”.

Despite his reserved character — his official biography consists of only a few lines, at least until his appointment as Archbishop of Buenos Aires — he became a reference point because of the strong stances he took during the dramatic financial crisis that overwhelmed the country in 2001. He was born in Buenos Aires on 17 December 1936, the son of Italian immigrants. His father Mario was an accountant employed by the railways and his mother Regina Sivori was a committed wife dedicated to raising their five children. He graduated as a chemical technician and then chose the path of the priesthood, entering the Diocesan Seminary of Villa Devoto. On 11 March 1958 he entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus. He completed his studies of the humanities in Chile and returned to Argentina in 1963 to graduate with a degree in philosophy from the Colegio de San José in San Miguel. From 1964 to 1965 he taught literature and psychology at Immaculate Conception College in Santa Fé and in 1966 he taught the same subject at the Colegio del Salvatore in Buenos Aires.

From 1967-70 he studied theology and obtained a degree from the Colegio of San José. On 13 December 1969 he was ordained a priest by Archbishop Ramón José Castellano. He continued his training between 1970 and 1971 at the University of Alcalá de Henares, Spain, and on 22 April 1973 made his final profession with the Jesuits. Back in Argentina, he was novice master at Villa Barilari, San Miguel; professor at the Faculty of Theology of San Miguel; consultor to the Province of the Society of Jesus and also Rector of the Colegio Máximo of the Faculty of Philosophy and Theology. On 31 July 1973 he was appointed Provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina, an office he held for six years. He then resumed his work in the university sector and from 1980 to 1986 served once again as Rector of the Colegio de San José, as well as parish priest, again in San Miguel.

In March 1986 he went to Germany to finish his doctoral thesis; his superiors then sent him to the Colegio del Salvador in Buenos Aires and next to the Jesuit Church in the city of Córdoba as spiritual director and confessor. It was Cardinal Antonio Quarracino, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, who wanted him as a close collaborator. So, on 20 May 1992 Pope John Paul II appointed him titular Bishop of Auca and Auxiliary of Buenos Aires. On 27 May he received episcopal ordination from the Cardinal in the cathedral. He chose as his episcopal motto, miserando atque eligendo, and on his coat of arms inserted the ihs, the symbol of the Society of Jesus. He gave his first interview as a bishop to a parish newsletter, Estrellita de Belém. He was immediately appointed Episcopal Vicar of the Flores district and on 21 December 1993 was also entrusted with the office of Vicar General of the Archdiocese. Thus it came as no surprise when, on 3 June 1997, he was raised to the dignity of Coadjutor Archbishop of Buenos Aires.

Not even nine months had passed when, upon the death of Cardinal Quarracino, he succeeded him on 28 February 1998, as Archbishop, Primate of Argentina and Ordinary for Eastern-rite faithful in Argentina who have no Ordinary of their own rite. Three years later at the Consistory of 21 February 2001, John Paul ii created him Cardinal, assigning him the title of San Roberto Bellarmino. He asked the faithful not to come to Rome to celebrate his creation as Cardinal but rather to donate to the poor what they would have spent on the journey. As Grand Chancellor of the Catholic University of Argentina, he is the author of the books: Meditaciones para religiosos (1982), Reflexiones sobre la vida apostólica (1992) and Reflexiones de esperanza (1992). In October 2001 he was appointed General Relator to the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Episcopal Ministry.

This task was entrusted to him at the last minute to replace Cardinal Edward Michael Egan, Archbishop of New York, who was obliged to stay in his homeland because of the terrorist attacks on September 11th. At the Synod he placed particular emphasis on “the prophetic mission of the bishop”, his being a “prophet of justice”, his duty to “preach ceaselessly” the social doctrine of the Church and also “to express an authentic judgement in matters of faith and morals”. All the while Cardinal Bergoglio was becoming ever more popular in Latin America. Despite this, he never relaxed his sober approach or his strict lifestyle, which some have defined as almost “ascetic”. In this spirit of poverty, he declined to be appointed as President of the Argentine Bishops’ Conference in 2002, but three years later he was elected and then, in 2008, reconfirmed for a further three-year mandate. Meanwhile in April 2005 he took part in the Conclave in which Pope Benedict XVI was elected. As Archbishop of Buenos Aires — a diocese with more than three million inhabitants — he conceived of a missionary project based on communion and evangelization.

He had four main goals: open and brotherly communities, an informed laity playing a lead role, evangelization efforts addressed to every inhabitant of the city, and assistance to the poor and the sick. He aimed to reevangelize Buenos Aires, “taking into account those who live there, its structure and its history”. He asked priests and lay people to work together. In September 2009 he launched the solidarity campaign for the bicentenary of the Independence of the country. Two hundred charitable agencies are to be set up by 2016. And on a continental scale, he expected much from the impact of the message of the Aparecida Conference in 2007, to the point of describing it as the “Evangelii Nuntiandi of Latin America”. Until the beginning of the recent sede vacante, he was a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the Congregation for the Clergy, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the Pontifical Council for the Family and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

He was elected Supreme Pontiff on 13 March 2013. So Who Exactly Is the New Pope Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina (Pope Francis)? – TheBlaze Tweet Italian cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio arrives for a meeting of pre-conclave on March 9, 2013 at the Vatican. Credit: AFP/Getty Images In a historic move, 76-year-old Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected pope on Wednesday. As the AP reports , Bergoglio is the first head of the Catholic Church ever to come from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than a millennium. He chose the name Pope Francis. Bergoglio‘s age was a surprise, considering that many commentators assumed the cardinals would select someone younger. But, alas, they chose a man who, by expert accounts, is more than qualified for the job. The Catholic Church’s new leader was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936 and he has four brothers and sisters. Bergoglio was born to an Italian immigrant railroad father and a mother who was a housewife. While he originally wanted to be a chemist, his path took a very obvious turn.

In 1958, the National Catholic Reporter reports that he joined the Society of Jesus and began preparing for the priesthood. Just over five decades later, he will now lead the church that he joined as a young man. Prior to his selection, CNN reported that Pergoglio is known as a “straight-shooter” who has no problem calling situations as he sees them. Potentially crushing dreams that he will take the church in a more liberal direction, he subscribes to the Catholicism’s most conservative wing (although there are some concerns about social justice, a subject we will deal with later on in this post). On contraceptives and gay marriage, he has, in the past, taken strict, conservative stances. And he once called abortion a “death sentence” for the unborn. Newly elected Pope Francis I waves to the waiting crowd from the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics.

Credit: Getty Images The archbishop of Buenos Aires spent nearly his entire career at home in Argentina, overseeing churches and shoe-leather priests. It is believed that he was nearly selected during the 2005 conclave. The National Catholic Reporter noted just how close to the papacy he might have been last go-around: After the dust settled from the election of Benedict XVI, various reports identified the Argentine Jesuit as the main challenger to then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. One cardinal later said the conclave had been “something of a horse race” between Ratzinger and Bergoglio, and an anonymous conclave diary splashed across the Italian media in September 2005 claimed that Bergoglio received 40 votes on the third ballot, just before Ratzinger crossed the two-thirds threshold and became pope. Though it’s hard to say how seriously one should take the specifics, the general consensus is that Bergoglio was indeed the “runner-up” last time around. He appealed to conservatives in the College of Cardinals as a man who had held the line against liberalizing currents among the Jesuits, and to moderates as a symbol of the church’s commitment to the developing world.

Watch the Vatican’s announcement and Pope Francis’ reveal, below: The Register also notes that Pope Francis is a scholar who has deep roots in theology, having studied in Germany. He’s known for being down-to-earth, rejecting a chauffeured limousine instead to take public transportation to work. He also cooked his own meals — another sign that he is not concerned with opulence and riches. Considering these personal life choices, it’s no surprise that Pope Francis is a fierce defender of the poor. In the past, he has spoken openly about his belief that there is an “unjust distribution of goods.” In 2007, he said , “We live in the most unequal part of the world, which has grown the most yet reduced misery the least. The unjust distribution of goods persists, creating a situation of social sin that cries out to Heaven and limits the possibilities of a fuller life for so many of our brothers.” Pope Francis’ views have caused some to wonder if he endorses government-centric social justice. A Business Insider piece from last year claimed that he would embrace this ideology and embed it into the church if selected. “Social Justice moves to the front of the Church’s concerns,” the outlet wrote of Bergoglio’s potential election.

“He’d also carry out a humble papacy. Say goodbye to Benedict’s ostentation in papal clothing.” Of course, social justice takes on many forms. Encouraging believers to treat the poor well and mandating that citizens pay more in income taxes so that monies can be redistributed — well, those are two very different animals. We’ll have to wait and see on which side Bergoglio falls. Pope Francis flanked by Monsignor Guido Marini, master of liturgical ceremonies, waves to the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who chose the name of Francis is the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. Credit: AP On Wednesday, after announcing `’Habemus Papum” — `’We have a pope!” — a cardinal standing on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday revealed the identity of the new pontiff, using his Latin name. Pope Benedict XVI, who retired last month, became the first pope to resign in 600 years.

A stunned-looking Bergoglio shyly waved to the crowd of tens of thousands of people who gathered in St. Peter’s Square, marveling that the cardinals had had to look to “the end of the earth” to find a bishop of Rome. He asked for prayers for himself, and for retired Pope Benedict XVI, whose stunning resignation paved the way for the tumultuous conclave that brought the first Jesuit to the papacy. The cardinal electors overcame deep divisions to select the 266th pontiff in a remarkably fast conclave (more fun and interesting facts about the conclave can be found here ). Watch live coverage of Bergoglio‘s election, below: Read more about Pope Francis in a profile that was published by the Reporter earlier this month . The Associated Press contributed to this report. This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates. — Other Must-Read Stories: The Life and Ministry of Pope Francis The Life and Ministry of Pope Francis Key Events Before his Papacy December 17, 1936: Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents.

1957: Falls severely sick of pneumonia at age 21, and his right lung is partially removed. March 11, 1958: Enters the novitiate of the Society of Jesus. March 12, 1960: Takes his first vows as Jesuit. 1961-1963: Studies philosophy at San Miguel Seminary in Buenos Aires. December 13, 1969: Is ordained priest. 1973: Professes his perpetual vows as Jesuit. 1973 – 1979: Serves as superior of Jesuit province of Argentina and Uruguay. 1979-1985: Serves as theology teacher and rector of Colegio Maximo. 1986: Finishes his doctoral thesis in Germany. June 27, 1992: Is ordained auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires. June 3, 1997: Is named coadjutor archbishop of Buenos Aires. February 28, 1998: Is installed as archbishop of Buenos Aires. February 21, 2001: Is elevated to cardinal.

April 2005: Participates in Conclave that elects Pope Benedict XVI. September 2009: Launches a solidarity campaign for the 200th anniversary of the independence of Argentina with the goal of creating 200 charitable agencies by 2016. 2013 Notable Events March 13, 2013: Is elected pope by a conclave of 115 cardinals and takes the name Francis. He becomes the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit, the 266th pope in the history of the Catholic Church, and the 265th successor of St. Peter. March 14, 2013: Meets with the College of Cardinals March 17, 2013: Delivers the first Angelus address of his papacy and greets the crowds from the papal apartment in St. Peter's Square. March 19, 2013: Presides at Mass to inaugurate his Petrine ministry on the Feast of St. Joseph, Patron of the Church in St. Peter's Square.

March 23, 2013: Travels to Castel Gandolfo to meet for the first time with his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. This is the first time in history that the current pope meets with his predecessor, according to the Vatican. March 28, 2013: Travels to Casal del Marmo Penitentiary Institute for Minors to celebrate the Lord's Supper Mass on Holy Thursday. Washed the feet of ten boys and two girls stressing the need of service and humility. April 4, 2013: Vatican sends a telegram expressing concern for the victims of severe weather that killed 56 people and left many more injured and homeless in Argentina. April 5, 2013: Meets in audience with Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and recommends that the congregation acts decisively with regard to cases of sexual abuse. April 8, 2013: Takes possession of the Cathedra of the Bishop of Rome at the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

April 10, 2013: Expresses nearness to and prays for the victims of the earthquake in Iran. April 13, 2013: Appoints a group of cardinals, including Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston, to advise him on church government and on a plan to revise the Apostolic Constitution on the Roman Curia. April 15, 2013: Meets in audience with the Prime Minister of Spain, Mariano Rajoy Brey, who presents him a jersey of the country's Soccer Team, current World Cup Champion. April 16, 2013: Expresses profound grief for the attacks in Boston, Massachusetts, that killed 3 people and injured more than 180. April 30, 2013: Receives in audience President Shimon Peres of Israel, and talks about peace in the Middle East. May 1, 2013: On the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, in his catechesis, notes that work is a fundamental element for the dignity of people.

May 2, 2013: Greets Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at his new permanent residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery. May 12, 2013: Presides at canonization Mass for Mexican religious sister Saint Guadalupe García Zavala, Saint Laura Montoya Upegui from Colombia, and Saint Antonio Primaldo and Companions, also known as the Martyrs of Otranto. June 29, 2013: Releases his first encyclical letter Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith). July 6, 2013: Approves the sainthood and speeds up the canonization process for Blessed Pope John Paul II and Blessed Pope John XXIII. July 8, 2013: Travels to Lampedusa. Speaks about the "Globalization of indifference" and prays for the immigrants who have sought refuge there, including those who have lost their lives in the attempt. July 11, 2013: Issues Apostolic Letter on the Jurisdiction of Judicial Authorities of Vatican City State in Criminal Matters.

July 19, 2013: Establishes a committee of clerics and lay experts to improve the Vatican's finances and transparency. July 22-29, 2013: Makes first foreign apostolic journey to Brazil for World Youth Day. July 24, 2013: Celebrates Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida, Brazil, during World Youth Day. August 8, 2013: Issues Apostolic Letter for the countering of money laundering, the financing of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. September 30, 2013: Presides over a public consistory and decreed that his predecessors, Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII will be inscribed in the book of saints on April 27, 2014, Divine Mercy Sunday. October 7, 2013: Receives USCCB delegation headed by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, USCCB president, and representatives of the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops at the Vatican.

October 24, 2013: Suspends German Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst of Limburg, accused of spending millions of dollars on lavish renovations to his residence. Nov. 9, 2013: Vatican issues a worldwide survey on social issues in advance of the third Extraordinary General Assembly of Bishops on the theme: "The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization." The Synod is slated to take place October 5-19, 2014. November 15, 2013: Issues Apostolic Letter approving the new statutes of the Financial Intelligence Authority. November 24, 2013: Releases Evangelii Gaudium, (The Joy of the Gospel) his first apostolic exhortation on the proclamation of the Gospel in today's world. November 26, 2013: Receives Russian president Vladimir Putin at the Vatican. December 11, 2013: Is named Time magazine's person of the year. December 17, 2013: Appoints Cardinal Donald Wuerl to the Congregation for Bishops.

December 24, 2013: Meets with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the monastery Mater Ecclesia. Also visits children at a local hospital. December 24-25, 2013: Celebrates his first Midnight Mass as head of the Roman Catholic Church at St. Peter's Basilica. 2014 Notable Events January 16, 2014: Receives in audience Cardinal Roger Mahony, archbishop emeritus of Los Angeles. January 30, 2014: Receives a delegation from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, at the Vatican on the occasion of the inauguration of the University's "Rome Center." February 19, 2014: Appoints Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Archbishop William C. Skurla of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, as members of the Congregation for Eastern Churches. February 22, 2014: On the occasion of the Feast of the Chair of St.

Peter, 19 new cardinals from 12 countries around the world, including Asia, Africa and Latin America are officially installed at a special consistory for the creation of new cardinals. February 24, 2014: Issues Apostolic Letter establishing a new coordinating agency for the economic and administrative affair of the Holy See and Vatican City State. March 27, 2014: Receives in audience U.S. President Barack Obama at the Vatican. April 3, 2014: Received Queen Elizabeth II at the Vatican. April 12: Washes the feet of 12 patients during the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday.The Mass was celebrated in the Chapel of the Santa Maria della Provvidenza Centre, in Italy. April 27, 2014: Presides Holy Mass and Canonization of Blesseds Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII from St. Peter's Square. April 28-30: Holds fourth meeting with the "Council of Cardinals" on Church governance and to develop a plan to revise the Apostolic Constitution on the Roman Curia.

May 24-26, 2014: Leads a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and meets with Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and the leaders of the Churches in Jerusalem to commemorate and renew the commitment to unity expressed 50 years earlier by Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras of Constantinople. May 26, 2014: Prays for victims of the Holocaust and of terrorist attacks during a visit to the Yad Vashem Memorial in Jerusalem.Meets with Holocaust survivors and hears their personal stories. June 8, 2014: Leads an unprecedented prayer service for peace in the Middle East. Israel's President, June 26, 2014: Vatican releases working document "The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization," ahead of the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. June 29, 2014: Twenty-four recently installed archbishops from around the world, including Archbishop Leonard Blair of Hartford, Connecticut, receive the pallium at a special liturgy at the Vatican celebrated on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul.

July 7, 2014: Meets for the first time with six survivors of clerical sexual abuse at the Vatican and reiterates his message of zero tolerance, accountability and continued commitment to prevention. July 14, 2014: Sends a message to the international community urging intervention and protection of minors in the humanitarian crisis of thousands of migrant children from Central America fleeing to the United States. July 22, 2014: Names Fr. John W. Crossin, executive director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, as consultant to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. He appointed three new members and 10 consultants. July 27, 2014: Extends a plea to stop armed conflicts in the Middle East, Iraq and Ukraine as he recalled the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, observed July 28. August 13-18, 2014: Apostolic journey to South Korea on the occasion of the 6th Asian Youth Day and the beatification of 123 Korean martyrs.

August 18, 2014: Sends a letter to Cardinal Justin Rigali, appointed as his Special Envoy for the celebration in the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis on August 24, 2014, marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the City of St. Louis. August 21, 2014: Expresses condolences over a phone call to the parents of American journalist James Foley, killed by the Islamic State group in Syria. September 4, 2014: Holds an online, worldwide video conference with students of the Scholas Occurrentes social network in five continents. September 20, 2014: Appoints Bishop Blase J. Cupich of Spokane, Washington, as Archbishop of Chicago. September 21, 2014: Apostolic journey to Albania. September 23, 2014: Message on the occasion of the celebration of the 101st World Day of Migrants and Refugees, 2015.

October 5-19, 2014: Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on "The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization." November 25, 2014: Addresses the members of the European Parliament and the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France. November 28, 2014: Issues Apostolic Letter on the occasion of the Year of Consecrated Life. November 28-30, 2014: Apostolic journey to Turkey. November 30, 2015: Issues his message for the opening of the Year of Consecrated Life. December 2, 2014: Joined by Anglican, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu religious leaders, Pope Francis signs a jointFaith Leaders' Universal Declaration Against Slavery on the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. December 9, 2014: Message on the occasion of the Vienna Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons. December 23, 2014: Letter to persecuted Christians in the Middle East.

December 25, 2014: Delivers his message Urbi et Orbi. 2015 Notable Events January 12-19, 2015: Apostolic journey to Sri-Lanka and the Philippines. Canonizes St. Joseph Vaz, Sri Lanka's first saint. February 14, 2015: 20 new cardinals from countries around the world, including Asia and Latin America are officially installed at a special consistory for the creation of new cardinals. April 6, 2015: Celebrates Mass of the Lord's Supper in the Rebibbia prison in Rome and washes the feet of 12 detainees. May 23, 2015: Sent letter to the Archbishop of San Salvador on the occasion of the beatification of Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero. June 6, 2015: Apostolic visit to Sarajevo (Bosnia). June 18, 2015: Issued Encyclical Letter Laudato si' on care for our common home.

July 5-12, 2015: Apostolic journey to Paraguay, Ecuador and Bolivia September 8, 2015: Issues Apostolic Letters on the reform of canonical procedure for the annulment of marriage in the Code of Canon Law. September 19-27, 2015: Apostolic Journey to Cuba and to the United States. Pope Francis addresses Congress and the United Nations. In Pope Francis, other faiths see a friend - The Washington Post In Pope Francis, other faiths see a friend The inside track on Washington politics. Be the first to know about new stories from PowerPost. Sign up to follow, and we’ll e-mail you free updates as they’re published. You’ll receive free e-mail news updates each time a new story is published. You’re all set! Pope Francis View Photos Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, is the first pontiff from South America. Here is a look at the Catholic leader. Caption Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, is the first pontiff from South America. Here is a look at the Catholic leader.

March 13, 2013 Newly elected Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th pontiff. Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images Buy Photo Wait 1 second to continue. By Nick Miroff and Anthony Faiola By Nick Miroff and Anthony Faiola March 22, 2013 Follow @nickmiroff Follow @Anthony_Faiola Nearly every July 18, the bitter anniversary of the 1994 truck bombing that ripped apart a Jewish community here, Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio would arrive to pay tribute at a memorial to the 85 victims. He came on other occasions, too, often showing up on foot after catching the subway to the rebuilt Argentine Israeli Mutual Association , its entrance now fortified by blast walls and thick bollards. In the visitor log book, the archbishop left a message in 2010, his handwriting almost too small to read. “I thank the Lord for allowing me to share this path with elder brothers,” it read.

It was signed “Jorge Mario Bergoglio,” leaving off any formal title. “In the maximum leader of the Christian world,” said Guillermo Borger, the association president, “we have an ally.” The interfaith relationships built by Cardinal Bergoglio in Argentina underscore an approach to religious diversity that observers say could differ substantially from the papacy of Benedict XVI, whose tenure was marked by a mixed record of controversial statements and misunderstandings. In contrast, during his time as cardinal, Pope Francis became largely known for tolerance and peaceful cohabitation with non-Roman Catholics. 1 of 20 Faithful gather in St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’s inaugural Mass View Photos Inauguration draws 132 government delegations and religious leaders from around the world. Caption Inauguration draws 132 government delegations and religious leaders from around the world. March 19, 2013 A banner with the image of Pope Francis is displayed in St. Peter's Square before his inaugural Mass at the Vatican. Max Rossi/Reuters Buy Photo Wait 1 second to continue. Argentina’s sizable Muslim community has praised Francis for facilitating interfaith dialogue during the 14 years he was archbishop of Buenos Aires.

The secretary general of the Islamic Center of the Argentine Republic , Sumer Noufouri, said he regularly attended an annual Mass convened by Bergoglio to celebrate Argentina’s Independence Day, alongside the country’s Jewish leaders. “He is a person who listens and who knows Islam,” said Noufouri, who described Bergoglio’s elevation to pope as “an opportunity for a fresh start in relations between Islam and the Catholic Church,” particularly at a time of growing “Islamophobia in Europe.” Vatican insiders say Francis’s history of building bridges, along with his attempt to quickly transform the lofty office of the papacy through humanity and simplicity, may already be paying off. Experts point to the rare decision by Bartholomew I, spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church, to attend Tuesday’s papal induction , becoming the first to do so since at least the Great Schism of 1054. Observers said the decision appeared to be linked to Francis’s closeness to Byzantine Catholics in Buenos Aires, who hold traditions similar to those of the Eastern Orthodox faith. Francis would meet with leaders of Christian and non-Christian churches at the “same moment, not two different moments,” the Rev. Thomas Rosica, a Vatican spokesman, stressed before that session last week.

Said John Thavis, author of “ The Vatican Diaries ”: “If Francis keeps making it clear that he is not exalting himself, that he sees the papal office as less authoritarian from the top, as more collegial, we could see some huge movements in ecumenical relations.” That would stand in contrast with the past eight years, when Benedict’s papacy saw occasionally strained relations between the Vatican and other faiths, particularly with Muslims and Jews. Papal comparisons In one sense, Benedict sought to build his own bridges. For example, he openly endorsed the stalled bid for Turkey to join the European Union, even as the traditionally secular state became increasingly religious under Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan , a devout Muslim. He also called on Catholics in Europe to embrace immigrants from the Islamic world. Benedict also had a history of developing closer relations with the Jewish community, becoming the first pope to visit a synagogue in the United States and once describing the Jewish faith as “particularly close to us.” Yet as the defender of the Catholic faith, Benedict also became known for divisive pronouncements.

The most controversial was a 2006 speech in Germany, when he quoted a text attributed to the 14th-century Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus that denounced the teachings of the prophet Muhammad as “evil” and “inhuman.” The move sparked protests in Muslim countries, leading to churches being burned and the images of the pope burned in effigy. Also during Benedict’s tenure, the Vatican reversed the excommunication of Richard Nelson Williamson, a bishop who called Jews “enemies of God” and questioned the Holocaust. In Francis’s first days, however, religious leaders say the new pope appears to be reaching out to those of other faiths, although it remains to be seen whether that will last. Speaking of Benedict, Riccardo Di Segni, the chief rabbi of Rome, said that “from a purely theological point of view, he was very strict.” By comparison, Francis, who sent Di Segni a personal invitation to attend his induction, has “in his first few days shown a different approach. He is talking about repentance, about mercy.” But, Di Segni added: “It is still too early to say how this pope will be.

Everything I’ve heard is that he had good relations with the Jewish community in Argentina, but now he is the leader of the Catholic Church. What works as bishop may not work as pope.” Benedict, now known as the pope emeritus, earned the ire of some Anglicans for creating “ordinariates.” These were new church structures that allowed conservative Anglicans to convert to Catholicism. They were particularly aimed at conservatives who were frustrated with their own progressive hierarchy’s move to embrace female and gay clergy. But Bishop Gregory Venables, the Anglican bishop of Argentina, said Bergoglio was apparently skeptical of Benedict’s move. Bergoglio “called me to have breakfast with him one morning and told me very clearly that the ordinariate was quite unnecessary and that the church needs us as Anglicans,” Venables told the Anglican Communion News Service. ‘A facilitator for peace’ Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Family, said perhaps most telling of the new pope’s intentions with other faiths was his decision to honor St. Francis of Assisi. “When he chose his name, he knew full well that it would ease dialogue with other religions, including Islam,” Paglia said.

“When the Crusades were going on, Francis of Assisi went to Egypt to speak with the sultan. While others were using the sword, he used the word.” Borger, the Jewish community leader in Buenos Aires, said in Bergoglio he found “a simple, humble man” who is committed to social justice. “He spoke out constantly against anti-Semitism and any other form of discrimination,” Borger said. “He will be a facilitator for peace.” The last time Bergoglio visited the center, Borger said, he accompanied him down to the street and out through the center’s heavy steel doors. The archbishop bid a warm goodbye, he said, then began walking toward the subway . Faiola reported from Vatican City. Julie Tate in Washington and Stefano Pitrelli in Rome contributed to this report. world Habemus Papam: Pope Francis Elected - Holy Name Province Home > Communications > Provincial News > Habemus Papam: Pope Francis Elected Habemus Papam: Pope Francis Elected by Maria Hayes | | In the Headlines VATICAN CITY — “Habemus Papam! We have a pope!” The cry rose up in St.

Peter’s Square earlier today and was echoed around the Province as white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney announcing the conclave had made its decision. Just over an hour later, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, SJ, of Argentina, was introduced as the new pontiff, Pope Francis. The 76-year-old Jesuit is the 265th successor of Saint Peter and the first Jesuit to be named pope. He was created and proclaimed cardinal by the Blessed John Paul II on Feb. 21, 2001 and oversaw the archdiocese of Buenos Aires for 15 years prior to being elected as the successor of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. “I congratulate the Jesuits, our brothers in religious life, on the occasion of one of their own being elected pope,” said Provincial Minister John O’Connor, OFM. Out of the 115 cardinals participating in the conclave, 18 belong to religious orders, and four were Franciscans.

Three were Friars Minor: Carlos Amigo Vallejo, OFM, 78, archbishop Emeritus of Seville, Spain; Cláudio Hummes, OFM, 78, archbishop Emeritus of São Paolo and former prefect of the Vatican Congregation of the Clergy; and Wilfrid Fox Napier, OFM, 72, archbishop of Durban, South Africa. One was Capuchin: Sean Patrick O’Malley, OFM Cap., 68, archbishop of Boston. Cardinal Jorge spent much of his early career teaching literature, psychology and philosophy, according to a March 3 National Catholic Reporter article . From 1973 to 1979 he served as the Jesuit provincial in Argentina and in 1980 became the rector of the seminary from which he had graduated. “Pope Francis brings a great wealth of pastoral experience to his new task as chief shepherd of the People of God,” said Provincial Vicar Dominic Monti, OFM. Seeing a Jesuit elected pope had significant meaning for Christopher VanHaight, OFM, pastor of St. Bonaventure Church in Paterson, N.J.

“When Pope Francis asked people to pray for him before he blessed them, I got teary-eyed,” Christopher said. “I graduated from a Jesuit college, was in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, and was born on July 31st, the feast day of St. Ignatius, founder of the Jesuit order. And I am a Franciscan, so I’m pretty happy right now.” Pope Francis, the son of Italian immigrants, is also the first pontiff from South America, something that Francis DiSpigno, OFM, believes will strengthen his papacy. “I think it’s a great selection to have this non-European pope come from South America, where there is a vibrant Catholic population,” said Francis DiSpigno, executive director of university ministries at St. Bonaventure University in Western New York. “He’ll bring a new and fresh world view to the papacy.” Media personalities have already begun to speculate what kind of leader Pope Francis will be. He has supported the social justice ethos of Latin American Catholicism, including “a robust defense of the poor,” according to theNational Catholic Reporter article.

He has also been “unwaveringly orthodox on matters of sexual morality, staunchly opposing abortion, same-sex marriage, and contraception” while also having a “deep compassion for the victims of HIV-AIDS.” “As a Provincial in the Franciscan Order, I am proud of the impact that Francis of Assisi has had in the history of the Church,” said John. “St. Francis challenged the clericalism in the Church, he led by his example of humility, and he reached out to people of all faiths, economic classes and backgrounds. Everything that I hear so far about our new pope tells me that he is committed to do the same.” The name Pope Francis chose is sparking interest around the Franciscan world. “I believe his choice of name reflects his attention to the poor and marginalized of society, for which St. Francis of Assisi was known, and his sense of the church’s evangelizing mission,” Dominic said. — Maria Hayes is communications coordinator of Holy Name Province. Categories Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires elected as Pope Francis - Wikinews, the free news source Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires elected as Pope Francis From Wikinews, the free news source you can write!

Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 2012 Image: Sandra Hernandez. The Roman Catholic Church has elected Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires as the new pope. He is to take the papal name Francis and take over from the recently retired Benedict XVI . White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney at 7:06pm (Rome time) yesterday, signifying that the conclave had elected a new pope after four unsuccessful attempts. Following his election, he appeared at a balcony in St. Peter's Square to greet crowds of onlookers. Introducing himself in St. Peter's Square, Francis was jovial: "Brothers and sisters, good evening. You know that the work of the conclave is to give a bishop to Rome. It seems as if my brother cardinals went to find him from the end of the earth. Thank you for the welcome." He went on to say: "Let's begin this long road from the Bishop of Rome to the people. Let us all behave with love and charity. Let us pray always not just for ourselves, but for others, for everyone in the word".

Born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936 and now aged 76, the new pope became a bishop in 1992, and was elevated to cardinal in 2001 by Pope John Paul II . As a child, he lost a lung due to an infection. He is the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas. He was the President of the Bishops' Conference of Argentina from 2005 to 2011. US President Barack Obama made a statement about the election of the new pope: "On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I offer our warm wishes to His Holiness Pope Francis as he ascends to the Chair of Saint Peter and begins his papacy." Obama's statement noted the new pope was a "champion of the poor and the most vulnerable among us", and "[as] the first pope from the Americas, his selection also speaks to the strength and vitality of a region that is increasingly shaping our world".

US House Speaker John Boehner also pointed out the new pope came from the Americas: "I think that reaching out beyond the traditional continent of our church is another big step in the right direction of our church." British Prime Minister David Cameron said that the papal election was "a momentous day for the 1.2 billion Catholics around the world". The Archbishop of Canterbury , Justin Welby , said the election of a new Pope was of "great significance to Christians everywhere, not least Anglicans". He went on to describe the new pope: "Pope Francis is well known as a compassionate pastor of real stature who has served the poor in Latin America, and whose simplicity and holiness of life is remarkable. He is an evangelist, sharing the love of Christ which he himself knows." In Argentina, he was outspoken against socially liberal policies including the provision of free contraception and gay marriage . Bergoglio said plans to legalize gay marriage in Argentina were "a plan to destroy God's plan" and "a move by the father of lies to confuse and deceive the children of God". Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said Francis would be known as Pope Francis; "It will become Francis I after we have a Francis II". Have an opinion on this story?

Share it! Related news " Pope Benedict XVI resigns effective February 28 " — Wikinews , February 11, 2013 Sources

Question: Prior to his elevation to the papacy in 2013 as Pope Francis, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was archbishop of which city?
Answer: Buenos Aires